Schools

Encinal High School Prepares to Launch Magnet Middle School

Junior Jets will open its doors to 150 to 200 Alameda 6th, 7th, and 8th graders as early as 2013.

From Alameda Unified School District

Encinal High School is preparing to launch Junior Jets, an exciting magnet school program opening its doors to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders interested in earlier access to the dynamic and innovative programs offered at Encinal High School.

All Alameda students are eligible for admission to this open enrollment magnet school and are encouraged to fill out applications for the projected 150-200 spaces available for students and families interested in this option.

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The program is founded on building early foundations for college and career readiness. Typically, students begin exploring college and career options in high school; however, when students are exposed to information, options, and preparation for college and career paths earlier, research shows they are generally more successful in attaining their goals for the future.

College and career preparatory skills, as well as a program specifically targeted toward social and emotional needs of middle school students, will be embedded within all subject areas.

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Furthermore, the EHS Junior Jets magnet school program was initiated because research shows the transition from middle to high school can be a difficult one.

Ninth graders can often struggle academically and socially as they make the transition from middle school to high school. By introducing middle school students to the "Jet Way" earlier, this transition is significantly minimized.

Being able to develop and maintain relationships with students and families for seven years rather than for four years will enable staff at Encinal High School to better address students' academic and social needs.

Teachers and administrators from Encinal High School collaborated last year to write a magnet school proposal that was approved by the Board of Education to open in 2013-2014, thus allowing the planning team a year to finalize magnet school implementation details.

Ultimately, AUSD magnet schools like ASTI (Alameda Science and Technology Institute), Maya Lin School and the EHS Junior Jets 6-8 program (along with other developing AUSD innovative programs) represent AUSD's efforts to realize a goal of providing Alameda families with a wide range of attractive school options, a goal that was established by the Alameda community in the process of developing the AUSD Master Plan 2010-2015.

Indeed, thanks to Measure A, AUSD is now making good on the community's request for providing attractive school options with the development of magnet schools and innovative programs.

For more information and enrollment forms, please visit Encinal High School website's Jr. Jets tab. To get on the EHS Junior Jets mailing list, please contact EHS teacher Sarah Stickle via phone at (510) 748-4023, ext. 2305, or via email: sstickle@alameda.k12.ca.us

*Editor's Note: Tuesday's School Board meeting will focus on the Junior Jets charter middle school program and its future residency at Encinal High School among other topics, The Alamedan reports

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